There Is Only One You! 32 Warm Smile!

"Why do you carry a mask with you all the time? I pretend to not notice it.... but still it is catching my eye!" Ira's curiosity overtook her just like usual.

Shiv chuckled softly, "Well.... simply...." He then turned his eyes and stared far off into the waterfall. His eyes were that of someone that was thinking something deeply.

Ira couldn't prob further. So she kept silent and enjoyed the scenery before her in silence.

***

The sounds of children laughter's *giggles* *laughs*

"He is a monster!" "We should not play with him." "Wah! Mommy! The monster will kill me!"

A young kid, with a sapphire blue and honey colored eyes, around the age of six, walks on the lonely road towards the palace, accompanied by a guard and two attendants. He was provided with none of the facilities, a prince could enjoy.

The little guy was always put under complete isolation and n.o.body cared about his existence.

The guard who has been guarding him from the day he was born spoke, "Prince, please wear this mask...." He hands over a face mask to the little prince. The little guy stretched his short hands and took the mask from him.

"Why should I always wear a mask when I am outside?" The little guy questioned with his head down. His eyes were threatening him with tears. He tried hard to not let his tears fall.

"Prince..... that's because you are a little different from the others."

"Its not my fault! I don't want to wear this mask!" The little prince threw the mask. The guard doesn't know what to do. The Prince was acting up again.

"Here! Its yours right?" A cute girl around the same age as him, picked up the mask and gave it to him. She had the world's beautiful smile!

The cute dimples on her chin is an eye candy for people to watch. Her deep curly black hair, was tied into a messy little cute bun. Her dark black eyes shone brightly. Her cherry colored soft lips, curved into a smile. The little girl wore some strange blue colored clothing on her. He was not able to recognize it and n.o.body could. But oddly that color situated her well.

"Umm.... yes...." The little guy unknowingly stretched out his hand and grabbed that mask which he detested so much.

"So.... you are going to wear that mask?" The little girl questioned him with curiosity.

"Why do you even care about it? I will wear it or throw this junk away! Its my business! If I don't wear it, I will eat you all alive and will even kill you with this eyes of mine!" The little prince told the girl off quite harshly and placed the mask on his face.

"Sheh.... You should not speak like that! He is the first Prince of our country after all...." The mother of one of those kids scolded.

The little girl, glared at the other kids who were still taunting the little prince. Her glare made then silent.

"Don't you know that bullying is wrong?"

The little girl, swiftly walked towards the little prince and grabbed him by his shoulders. She pulled the mask apart and stared straight into his eyes. The little guy was taken off-guard, that he doesn't know how to react.

The little girl squeezed his face with her small and soft palms.

"What is so wrong with your eyes? It's just too beautiful. Its such a waste that you are hiding such beautiful eyes! My dady always says to me that if someone is trying to bully me, I should pay them no mind! If I do, they will just keep on tormenting me.... The same goes for you.... If you keep listening to such stupid things... you are going to grow weeds on your head!"

The little prince, after hearing to her words, broke into one beautiful smile. His attendants were both shocked to see him show such a beautiful smile. The poor kid never smiled, he was always sad or kept weeping.

"You..... you are right!" His beautiful eyes shone brightly at her.

"Prince..... Its time that we go." His guard reminded.

"Can.... can you wait for me a little bit? I... I will be back in a minute...." The little guy has never been around the kids his age. So he obviously wasn't sure how to speak or what to speak.

"Sure! I will wait! Come back fast.... let's play!" The little girl smiled at him widely making her cute little dimples visible.

"Umm.... Veena, stay here with her for a while." He let one of his attendants stay with her and left quickly.

"Open the castle gates! The First Prince has returned!" The big and heavy looking iron gates of the castle, painted in dark black, held the carving of the warriors, creaked open from the inside.

The Little Prince, who has been put under isolation due to his unique eyes, visits the palace once in a year, during his birthday....

Beyond the castle gates... stood the big and proud castle of the Kingdom Surasena. The castle was filled with the well trained guards.

No body cared enough to welcome the little prince.

The little guy wore old and tattered clothes. His eyes were big and round. His complexion was not that good. He was shorter for his age. His bright smile from before has long disappeared, the moment he set his foot inside the castle.

The little prince knew more than anyone that he was not welcomed in here. If it were not for his King Father, he would never return here.

The King was always busy with his political affairs, that he never had the time and leisure to spend with his children.

His mother killed herself in the thought that she had given birth to a monster.

The poor little prince never felt the warmth of a family.

As per the instructions, the palace maids prepared some fine looking silk clothing and the appropriate accessories.

The little prince wore them and quickly went to greet his father.

"Father, I have arrived...."

"Oh my child! Welcome back! May you be blessed with all the good fortune on this birthday!" The King Father warmly blessed his son. Though he knew deep down that it was all nothing but fake.

"Thank you, Father."

"King, your attention is required on this matter...." An court official approached the King with some political matter.

"Umm..." The King turned to the little Shiv, "Why don't you go and play with others? I will talk to you later..."

The little guy took a bow and then left immediately. The moment he left the court room he wore his mask.

He didn't mind about his father's behaviour, his mind was preoccupied with the thought of that little girl waiting for him outside.

He swiftly ran to the castle gates, the castle was too big and grand. It always awed him how he never felt any attachment towards it. This cold place had never been too long or hard for him to walk out of.... But today..... the long path towards the gates made him feel like it takes an eternity to walk out of!

The little guy wanted to go to her as soon as he can! Each step of his felt so distant. The more he neared the gates, the more he was excited to see her. He couldn't wait to see her! He couldn't bear the thought of this distance between them!

Finally! The little guy finally reached the big castle gates. He stood before it, his hear was pounding. The little guy has never felt this excited before. Somewhere in some corner of his mind, he thought, this was not real!

The only person who treated him as a human was his father, or at least that was what the world thinks.

But now, someone who is completely unrelated to him, someone who is a stranger, treated him as a human, as a living person, not bound by any duty towards him, but still spoke with him, smiled at him warmly..... This was all new to him!